Ore-jigger.



PATENTED AUG. 25, 1903.

-E. J. MULLER.

ORE JIGGER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1397- 2 SHEETS-BHEET 1- 1T0 MODEL.

mew' h VIII/)4 HUI No. 737,264. PATENTED AUG. 25, 190s.

E. J. MULLER.

ORE JIGGER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1897.

N0 MODEL. v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 guidingdevice and the eccentric-rod connec- UNITED STATES I Patented August 25, 1903.

ERNST J. MULLER, OF BUTTE, MONTANA.

ORE-JIGGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,264, dated August 25, 1903.

Application filed July 26, 1897. Serial No. 6 5,917. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNST J. MULLER, of

Butte, in the county of Silverbow and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Jiggers; and Ido hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My improvements pertain to that class of ore washing, separating, and concentrating apparatus commonly called ore-jigs or ore-jiggers.

The main objects of the invention are to accurately regulate and control the pulsations of water by which the separation of the particles of ore from the gangue or impurities according to density or specific gravity is effected and generallyto improve the construction and operation and to increase the efficiency of this class of machines.

It consists of certain novel features in the construction and arrangement of component parts of the machine, as hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying-drawings like letters designate the same parts in the several fig ures.

Figure 1 is a verticalcross-section of an orejigger embodying my improvements, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 1 1, Fig. 6. Fig. 2 is adetail view,on an enlarged scale, of one of the adj ustableeecentries and its connections for actuating the plungers. Figs. 3 and 4 are sections thereof on the lines 3 3 and 4: 4, respectively, Fig. 2..

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5, 3, showing the hub of the eccentric. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section showing in broken plan View one of the plunger-compartments of the jigger; and Fig. 7 is a vertical section on the line 7 7, Fig. 6, showing on an enlarged scale the tion of a plunger.

In-the operation of machines of this class to which my improvements pertain the'ore having been crushed to liberate the metal from the worthless rock or gangue and properly sized by screening is fed upon the screens of the jig. The particles of mingled metalbearing ore and rock or gangue are caused by the pulsations of water through the screens to arrange themselves according to density or specific gravity in layers, the heavier particles containing most metalseeking the lower level and the lighter particles rising to or remaining in the upper strata of ore. The heavy metal-bearing ore passes through the screens and constitutes the concentrates, while the lighter particles of rock or gangue are conducted off as tailin gs. In treating ores of difierent grades, particularly the fine meal sizes and slimes, itis necessary to regulate be closely fitted in the compartments of the,

tank, so as to prevent the free passage of water between the edges of the plungers and the walls of the compartments in which theywork. My improvements are calculated to secure these ends.

Referring tothe drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and, 6, A designates a tank constructed in the usual wayof plank and supported by a framework'B. It is divided by a vertical partition a into compartments C and D, which communicate with each other below said partition. Each compartment 0 is provided with a horizontally-disposed sieve or screen E, upon which the ore to be treated is deposited. Each compartment D is provided with a plunger F, which is constructed in the usual way of three layers or tiers of plank,the grain of the middle layer. or .tier crossing that of the .others' Each. of the plunger-compartments D is provided with a lining d, of wood, the grain of which runs vertically, and the plunger F is fitted closely in said lining, so as-to prevent the passage of water from one side of the plunger to the other around its edges.

.G is a guide consisting of a cast-iron crosspiece spanning the upper part of the compartment D centrally and bolted at its ends to the walls of said compartment. It is formed with a vertical cylindrical opening and above and around said opening with a flange g,which serves to hold oil around the hollow plunger trunk.

11 is a tubular or hollow trunk fitted in the opening of the guide G and bolted at its lower end to the upper side of the plunger. It is open at its upper end and provided near its lower end with a cross-pin h.

I is a horizontal driving shaft carried by bearin gs onthe framework B overt-he plungercompartments D lengthwise of the machine. It is provided over each pl unger-compartment in line with the plunger-trunk H with an adjustable eccentric K, composed, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, inclusive, of two parts-a hub 70, keyed or otherwise fixed on the shaft 1, and a rim 7c, adjustably mounted upon said hub. The hub is formed at one end with a flange 7& and at the opposite end with an ear k perforated transversely to and in a line intersecting the axis of the hub. The web of the rim is is formed with an oblong opening, the longer sides of which are extended laterally into parallel flanges or bearings k k, which are fitted to flattened sides of the hub, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. On opposite sides of this opening and parallel therewith said web is formed with slots is 76 and at one end of said opening in line with the ear k on the hub it is formed with an car 713 In this ear is threaded an adjusting screw or bolt L, which passes through the plain bore of the ear c and has a squared head fitting the space between said ear and the adjacent side of the eccentric shaft I. This screw serves to move the rim of the eccentric radially upon its hub for varying the throw of the eccentric. The rim is held to the hub of the eccentric by bolts M M, passing through the slots in the web of the rim, and holes in the flange 7c of the hub and serving to clamp the parts firmly together when adjusted. The web of the rim is provided on one side of the opening therein with an index-mark 'n, in line with the center of its circular periphery, and the end of the hub adjacent thereto is provided with a scale 0, the zero-point of which is in line with the center of the hub and the axis of the eccentric-shaft. Each main division of this scale in the present case indicates one-inch throw or eccentricity and each of the smaller subdivisions a quarter of an inch throw. When the index-mark on the web of the rim is placed on the zero-mark of the scale, the periphery of the rim is concentric with the bore of the hub and the axis of the eccentric-shaft, so that the throw of the eccentric can be varied from nothing to four inches.

N is the eccentric-strap, made in two parts, which are bolted together upon the rim of the eccentric. The lower half of said strap is formed with a radial sleeve or socket n,

threaded on said rod and adapted'to abut against the end of said sleeve. At its lower end said rod is provided with a box, through which the cross-pin h in the plunger-trunk H passes, pivotally connecting the plunger with said rod, as shown in Figs. 1, 6, and 7. This box is composed of two parts pand p. The upper part p is formed perpendicular to its axis with a sleeve or socket 11 in which the lower end of the eccentric-rod O is threaded and pinned or otherwise rigidly secured. Both parts of the box are formed 011 opposite sides with correspondingly-perforated ears, and 011 the rod 0 is loosely fitted a cross-head p, which is 0011- nected with the cap or lower part 19 of the box by bolts 29 19 passing through the perforated ears of said cap and upper box-section and through corresponding holes in the crosshead, as shown in Fig. 1. Between the upper end of the sleeve p and the cross-head 193 is interposed a spiral spring Q, which tends to draw the cap 1) upwardly toward the other part of the box and to take up all wear or play between said box and the pin h. The hollow trunk H not only serves to guide the plunger in its reciprocating movement, thereby admitting of a closer fit between the plunger and the walls of the compartment in which it works, but it also serves as a housing for the eccentric-rod connection with the plunger and as a receptacle to hold oil for the thorough lubrication of said connection. The upper end of the trunk being open admits of readily supplying it with oil at any time. Each plungercompartment is provided with a covering d, which is fitted around the rim 9 of the plungerguide and rests upon the upper face of said guide, which serves as a support therefor. This serves to prevent the splashing of water out of the tank by the plungers and also excludes from the compartments D ore or other matter which would obstruct or interfere with the operation of the plungers. The covering cl does not have an air-tight fit in the plungercompartment of the tank, and suflicient vent for the operation of the plunger is thus provided. The plunger having a comparatively short stroke, varying according to the nature of the ore from a fraction of an inch to about four inches, and the space above it ordinarily containing but little water, very little or no vent is necessary, the air contained in the compartment readily expanding and condensing sufliciently to offer little resistance to the ordinary movements of the plunger. The annular recess formed by the rim or flange 9 around the upper end of the trunk H being exposed above the cover d can be readily supplied with oil at any time for the lubrication of said trunk.

The connecting device hereinbefore described between the eccentric strap and rod facilitates the assemblage of the driving mechanism, which, together with the guiding device, not only affords means of readily and accurately adjusting the movement or throw of the plungers, but also admits ofthe employment of close-fitting plungers and renders their operation positive and steady. In

this way the pulsations of water through the screens are successfully regulated and controlled, as desired, according to the quality or nature of the ore to be treated, the efficiency of the machine is increased, and the quality of work performed by it is improved.

My improved adjustable eccentric will be found of special advantage in connection with any form of variable-speed driving mechanism, such as eccentric-gears,'for imparting a faster downward and a slower upward movement of the plunger, whereby the fall of water through the associated screen is retarded, because the adjustment of the eccentric to vary its throw does not change its angular postion on the eccentric-shaft or its relation with respect to the plunger drivingmechanism, the adjustment of the rim of the eccentric being radial instead of angular.

I claim 1. In an ore-jigger the combination with a tank separated by a partition into compartments which communicate with each other below said partition, and a horizontally-disposed screen and vertically-movable plunger arranged in said compartments on opposite sides of said partition, of a guide arranged in the upper part of the compartment containing the plunger, a hollow trunk attached to and extending upwardly from the plunger into an opening in said guide in which it is adapted to reciprocate, a driving-shaft extending horizontally over said tank and provided above the plunger-trunk with an eccentric and strap, a rod attached at its upper end to said strap and provided at its lower end with a box which is pivoted on a cross-pin in the lower part of said trunk, said box being composed of two parts, one formed with a socket in which the lower end of the rod is secured, and the other being connected by bolts with a cross-head loosely mounted on said rod, and a spring interposed between the upper box member and said cross-head, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an ore-jigger the combination with a plunger and a shaft provided with an eccentric having a strap fitted thereon, of a stationary guide located above the plunger, a

hollow trunk extending upwardly from the plunger into said guide in which it is adapted to reciprocate, a rod attached at its upper end to the eccentric-strap, a box having a socket in which the lower end of said rod is secured, a cross-head loosely mounted on said rod, a

spring interposed between said box and cross-' head, and a box cap or adjustable member connected with said cross-head by bolts passing through and guided in said box parallel with the eccentric-rod, and a pin passing transversely through the lower part of said trunk and the box on the lower end of the eccentric-rod, substantially vas and for the purposes set forth.

3. In an ore-jigger the combination with the tank, a plunger fitted to reciprocate in a compartment thereof, and an eccentric and its strap mounted on a shaft extending over said compartment, of ahorizontally-disposed guide secured to the walls of said tank and having a vertical opening which is enlarged at its upper end to hold oil, a tubular trunk attached to said plunger and fitted in the opening of said guide, and a rod attached at its upper end to the eccentric-strap and pivoted at its'lower end on a cross-pin in said trunk, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

' 4:. In an ore-jigger the combination witha tank, a plunger fitted to work in a compartment thereof and an eccentric and its strap mounted 011 a shaft extending over said compartment, of a guide bridging said compartment, attached at its ends to its walls and having a vertical opening and'an upwardlyprojecting flange around said opening for holding oil, a cover for said compartment supported on said guide and fitted around the flange thereon, a hollow trunk attached to the plunger and fitted in the opening of said guide, and a rod pivoted at its lower end in said trunk and connecting it with the eccentric-strap, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my ownI affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERNST J. MULLER.

WVitnesses:

B. O. W. EVANS, JAs. DINGEVON. 

